Alpha polyglutamated pemetrexed and uses thereof

Abstract

The disclosure relates generally to polyglutamated antifolates, formulations containing liposomes filled with alpha or D-gamma polyglutamated antifolates, methods of making the polyglutamated antifolates and liposome containing formulations, and methods of using polyglutamated antifolates and liposome containing formulations to treat hyerproliferative disorders (e.g., cancer) and disorders of the immune system (e.g., an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A liposomal composition comprising polyglutamated pemetrexed (PMX) encapsulated by a pegylated liposome, wherein the polyglutamated PMX comprises at least 3 glutamate residues linked by alpha carboxyl group linkages wherein the liposome has a diameter in the range of 20 nm to 200 nm and wherein the liposome does not contain a targeting moiety having specific affinity for a surface antigen on a target cell. 
     
     
       2. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyglutamated PMX comprises 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 4-10 glutamate residues linked by alpha carboxyl group linkages. 
     
     
       3. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyglutamated PMX comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 4-10 D-glutamate residues linked by alpha carboxyl group linkages. 
     
     
       4. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyglutamated PMX comprises pentaglutamated PMX. 
     
     
       5. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyglutamated PMX comprises hexaglutamated PMX. 
     
     
       6. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the liposome has a diameter in the range of 50 nm to 150 nm or 80 nm to 120 nm. 
     
     
       7. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the liposome is formed from liposomal components and wherein: the liposomal components comprise:
 (a) at least one of an anionic lipid and a neutral lipid; 
 (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of: DSPE; DSPE-PEG; DSPE-PEG-maleimide; HSPC; HSPC-PEG; cholesterol; cholesterol-PEG; and cholesterol-maleimide; or 
 (c) at least one selected from the group consisting of: DSPE; DSPE-PEG-FITC; DSPE-PEG-maleimide; cholesterol; and HSPC. 
 
     
     
       8. The liposomal composition of  claim 7 , wherein one or more liposomal components further comprises at least one steric stabilizer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG); poly-L-lysine (PLL); monosialoganglioside (GM1); poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP); poly(acrylamide) (PAA); poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline); poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline); phosphatidyl polyglycerol; poly [N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide]; amphiphilic poly-N-vinylpyrrolidones; L-amino-acid-based polymer; or polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
       9. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the PEG of the liposome has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 200 to 5000 daltons. 
     
     
       10. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the liposome:
 (a) is anionic or neutral, 
 (b) has a zeta potential that is less than or equal to zero, 
 (c) has a zeta potential that is between 0 to −150 mV, or 
 (d) has a zeta potential that is between −30 to −50 mV. 
 
     
     
       11. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the liposome has an interior space and the interior space comprises the polyglutamated PMX and an aqueous pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, optionally wherein the aqueous pharmaceutically acceptable carrier (a) is trehalose, or (b) comprises citrate buffer at a concentration of between 5 to 200 mM and a pH of between 2.8 to 6. 
     
     
       12. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the liposome comprises less than 200,000 molecules or between 10,000 to 100,000 molecules of polyglutamated PMX. 
     
     
       13. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyglutamated PMX is at a pH of 5-8. 
     
     
       14. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of an immunostimulating agent, a detectable marker and a maleimide disposed on at least one of the PEG and the exterior of the liposome. 
     
     
       15. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of an immunostimulating agent, a detectable marker and a maleimide, wherein the immunostimulating agent, the detectable marker or the maleimide is attached to said PEG or the exterior of the liposome. 
     
     
       16. The liposomal composition of  claim 15 , wherein the immunostimulating agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of: a fluorescein; a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC); a dinitrophenol (DNP); a beta glucan; a beta-1,3-glucan; and a beta-1,6-glucan. 
     
     
       17. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a hapten or at least one cryoprotectant selected from the group consisting of mannitol; trehalose; sorbitol; and sucrose. 
     
     
       18. The liposomal composition of  claim 1 , which is in unit dosage form. 
     
     
       19. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the liposomal composition of  claim 1 .